London Named One of the World’s Happiest Cities

London is known for many things, and ‘happy’ has officially made the list. Beyond the busy city life, hectic Tube peak hours and the unpredictable weather, the UK capital is officially now one of the happiest cities in the world-33^rd happiest to be precise, according to the recent Happy City Index ranking for 2024.

The Happy City Index releases an annual report, having analyzed several factors. The quality of life the overarching factor, under which governance, citizens, the economy, mobility and the environment are considered. The report categorizes cities into bronze, silver and gold ranks. This year, London has made it to the prestigious gold category (No. 1 to 37).

So, what’s there to be happy about in this city? While the capital has its fair share of ‘trouble’ (pretty high rental prices for example), it is also a melting pot of fascinating cultures and lively communities. Each neighborhood has its unique character, whether you’re visiting the vibrant Soho for nightlife, or the quieter, Greenwich for some shopping. Then there is the abundance of art exhibitions, state—of-the-art theaters, world-class restaurants, traditional pubs, numerous green parks to relax, iconic high streets, and convenient public transportation.

The ranking by Happy City Index acknowledges the near-impossibility of identifying a single city to be considered the best in ensuring that its residents are happy. In any case, it is only appropriate to establish a ‘group of cities’ committed to improving the quality of life of its inhabitants, and inevitably cultivating their happiness. 

Top of the gold category was Denmark’s Aarhus, followed by Zurich, Berlin, Sweden’s Gothenburg, and Amsterdam in that order. Find the full list of the 250 happiest cities according to Happy City Index here.

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